Mountain West, “Above the Rest.” Last year the Mountain West didn’t quite live up to the slogan with both tournament bids (San Diego State and Air Force) making first round exits, however there is reason to believe that could change this year. A few teams should be coming back strong again in a conference that was pretty competitive top to bottom. Only TCU had fewer than 14 wins among the Mountain West teams last season, and six of the nine teams had winning records. With most of the teams returning a considerable portion of their rosters, the Mountain West could easily build on last year’s performance.
AIR FORCE FALCONS:
Last Year’s Record: 24-7 (12-4 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: Qualified for NCAA Tournament, Loss in Opening Round.
Returning Starters: 4 (Burtschi, Nwaelele, McCraw, Frye)
Returning Players: 12
Air Force put together a very nice season last year, highlighted by a trip to the NCAA tournament. This year they return 4 of their 5 starters as well as Tim Anderson and Andrew Henke, their 2 subs who saw significant minutes. The significant loss is that of their leading scorer, Antoine Hood, but the Falcons had 3 more players who scored in double figures, and no single player really carried the team. Looking to this year, there isn't any reason to expect anything short of another solid season for Air Force. If they can make another NCAA bid, they’ll have a little bit of experience behind them this time which could be vital to making a little noise.
BRIGHAM YOUNG COUGARS:
Last Year’s Record: 20-9 (12-4 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: Qualified for NIT Tournament, Loss in Opening Round
Returning Starters: 4 (Plaisted, Young, Broadus, Malaman)
Returning Players: 12.
The BYU Cougars had a good year in the Mountain West last year, and if it weren’t for a few out of conference shortcomings, they could’ve had a chance to be in the National Championship Tournament rather than just the NIT. This year they bring back the core of the team including Trent Plaisted, their leading scorer and rebounder. The main loss will be that of Brock Reichner, however, Jimmy Balderson should be able to step in and fill the void left at the shooting guard. It appears as though this year BYU should have the pieces necessary to continue to build on its tradition of good basketball programs, and potentially even fight for the Mountain West title.
COLORADO STATE RAMS:
Last Year’s Record: 16-15 (4-12 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: None
Returning Starters: 3 (Smith, Lewis, Gilling)
Returning Players: 12
Despite a lowly 4-12 in conference record, the Colorado State Rams were not a horrible basketball team last year. Compiling a 12-3 out of conference record, they were the Mountain West’s hard luck team. This year, they don’t return all of their starters, but the top few returning players were all crucial last season, and will maintain the core of the roster. Smith, Lewis, and Gilling along with Stuart Creason, a sub turned starter this year, return 4 of the 5 leading scorers for Colorado State. Colorado State will be looking to work back towards the top of the Mountain West. This will build momentum going into 2007 where Lewis, Gilling, and Creason will all be returning again.
NEW MEXICO LOBOS:
Last Year’s Record: 17-13 (8-8 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: None
Returning Starters: 2 (Danridge, Kersten)
Returning Players: 11
New Mexico had a solid season last year finishing 5th in the Mountain West, with a solid record both in and out of conference. They could be in for a little bumpier ride this season, though, with Mark Walters and David Chiotti gone. They don’t have a returning player who scored in double figures, and only Danridge played more than 20 minutes a game. Walters and Chiotti were the core of the team, and unless Tony Danridge really steps up they’re going to be in trouble. Kersten is a decent player and a returning starter, but is more of a role player than a game changer which is going to likely be what the Lobos will lack this year.
SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS:
Last Year’s Record: 24-9 (13-3 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: Qualified for NCAA Tournament, Loss in Opening Round
Returning Starters: 4 (Heath, Akubar, Spain, Williams)
Returning Players: 9
Last year’s Mountain West champions, the San Diego State Aztecs look to be poised for another producitive season. Last year’s leading scorer, Brandon Heath, and Mohamed Akubar enter their senior year with a last chance to make a splash. With 4 starters returning, they may be able to. The loss of leading rebounder, shot blocker, and second leading scorer Marcus Slaughter could be a painful one, however enough of the team is still in tact that they should be able to overcome the loss. The Aztecs should find themselves in Mountain West title contention, and if they fail to be at or around the top this season has to be looked upon as a disappointment.
Idaho is a team that is in a lot of trouble coming into this season. Their best player transferred and if matters couldn’t get any worse, their coach was fired. Idaho had a rough debut in the WAC last season by winning only one conference game. Sadly enough, it doesn’t seem like it is going to get any better anytime soon. The assistant coach, George Pfeifer, got promoted to the head coaching duties and will have his work cut out for him. His returning star, Keoni Watson, averaged 10 PPG last year and that is about all this team has going for it right now.
TEXAS CHRISTIAN HORNED FROGS:
Last Year’s Record: 6-25 (2-14 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: None
Returning Starters: 2 (Hackett, Owens)
Returning Players: 11
Last year’s cellar dwellers appear destined to likely suffer a similar fate. Nile Murray and Judson Stubbs, two of last year’s minimal bright spots, are not returning. Brent Hackett is the only returner who posted significant numbers. This year appears to be part of another rebuilding season for TCU. Looking ahead to 2007, Hackett and Owens will be entering their senior years and the younger players will have some more time to develop. It’s too early to say this year is a lost cause, but for TCU, it’s nice to know at least they’ll still have another season with their two returners to try and right the ship.
NEVADA LAS VEGAS REBELS:
Last Year’s Record: 17-13 (10-6 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: None
Returning Starters: 2 (Adams, Terry)
Returning Players: 12
Coming off a 4th place finish in the Mountain West, UNLV loses a few key players in Louis Amundson and Jason Petrimoulx, however, in this team’s case I would doubt the losses will be enough to put them under. They will still return two double digit scorers in Jo’Van Adams and Michael Umeh, in addition to all-around contributor, Curtis Terry. Also returning is Wendell White, who should see increased minutes and should prove that he deserves them. Last year’s crowded backcourt held a few UNLV players back, and White was one of them. With increased playing time, White could help ease the loss of Amundson. It’s unlikely that UNLV will find themselves atop the Mountain West this year, but one should still expect a competitive season.
UTAH UTES:
Last Year’s Record: 14-15 (6-10 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: None
Returning Starters: 3 (Bryant, Green, Grant)
Returning Players: 8
The Utes enter this year in a similar situation to that of UNLV. They’ll be losing Bryant Markson and Chris Jackson, but appear to have the players needed to fill those voids. Johnnie Bryant will take the reigns as the leading guard scorer, and with help from Shaun Green, defensive specialist Chris Grant, and now full time starting center, Luke Nevill the Utes should be able to handle their losses well. Nevill could be a player to keep an eye out for. In lesser minutes last year, he posted 11.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. With his new full time gig, we could see Nevill take his production to the next level this year and hopefully help keep the Utes in the pack of the Mountain West.
WYOMING COWBOYS:
Last Year’s Record: 14-18 (5-11 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: None
Returning Starters: 2 (Ewing, Jones)
Returning Players: 10
Wyoming enters the season having lost 3 of their 5 starters. This could be a major problem, because of how reliant they were on those top 5 last year. Only Kevin Lewis (who is also not returning), and the starters saw more than 15 minutes per game last year, so this season players who saw limited action are going to need to be ready to be thrown into the mix. Leading scorer Brandon Ewing will return, along with Brad Jones. Beyond them lies much uncertainty though. Senior Daaron Brown figures to see increased playing time as well as sophomore Ike Okoye. Both big men showed promise last year, but neither have enough of a track record to prove that they can fill the shoes of guys like Justin Williams and Derek Wabbington. Wyoming figures to take a little step back this year in a rebuilding type season, but can still be competitive with explosive players like Brandon Ewing.
Predicted Finish
1. San Diego State Aztecs
2. Air Force Falcons State
3. Brigham Young Cougars
4. Nevada Las Vegas Rebels State
5. Colorado State Rams State
6. Utah Utes
7. New Mexico Lobos Tech
8. Wyoming Cowboys State
9. Texas Christian Horned Frogs
Predicted All-MWC First Team
Jacob Burtschi- Air Force
Trent Plaisted- Brigham Young
Brandon Heath- San Diego State
Mohamed Akubar- San Diego State
Brandon Ewing- Wyoming
AIR FORCE FALCONS:
Last Year’s Record: 24-7 (12-4 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: Qualified for NCAA Tournament, Loss in Opening Round.
Returning Starters: 4 (Burtschi, Nwaelele, McCraw, Frye)
Returning Players: 12
Air Force put together a very nice season last year, highlighted by a trip to the NCAA tournament. This year they return 4 of their 5 starters as well as Tim Anderson and Andrew Henke, their 2 subs who saw significant minutes. The significant loss is that of their leading scorer, Antoine Hood, but the Falcons had 3 more players who scored in double figures, and no single player really carried the team. Looking to this year, there isn't any reason to expect anything short of another solid season for Air Force. If they can make another NCAA bid, they’ll have a little bit of experience behind them this time which could be vital to making a little noise.
BRIGHAM YOUNG COUGARS:
Last Year’s Record: 20-9 (12-4 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: Qualified for NIT Tournament, Loss in Opening Round
Returning Starters: 4 (Plaisted, Young, Broadus, Malaman)
Returning Players: 12.
The BYU Cougars had a good year in the Mountain West last year, and if it weren’t for a few out of conference shortcomings, they could’ve had a chance to be in the National Championship Tournament rather than just the NIT. This year they bring back the core of the team including Trent Plaisted, their leading scorer and rebounder. The main loss will be that of Brock Reichner, however, Jimmy Balderson should be able to step in and fill the void left at the shooting guard. It appears as though this year BYU should have the pieces necessary to continue to build on its tradition of good basketball programs, and potentially even fight for the Mountain West title.
COLORADO STATE RAMS:
Last Year’s Record: 16-15 (4-12 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: None
Returning Starters: 3 (Smith, Lewis, Gilling)
Returning Players: 12
Despite a lowly 4-12 in conference record, the Colorado State Rams were not a horrible basketball team last year. Compiling a 12-3 out of conference record, they were the Mountain West’s hard luck team. This year, they don’t return all of their starters, but the top few returning players were all crucial last season, and will maintain the core of the roster. Smith, Lewis, and Gilling along with Stuart Creason, a sub turned starter this year, return 4 of the 5 leading scorers for Colorado State. Colorado State will be looking to work back towards the top of the Mountain West. This will build momentum going into 2007 where Lewis, Gilling, and Creason will all be returning again.
NEW MEXICO LOBOS:
Last Year’s Record: 17-13 (8-8 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: None
Returning Starters: 2 (Danridge, Kersten)
Returning Players: 11
New Mexico had a solid season last year finishing 5th in the Mountain West, with a solid record both in and out of conference. They could be in for a little bumpier ride this season, though, with Mark Walters and David Chiotti gone. They don’t have a returning player who scored in double figures, and only Danridge played more than 20 minutes a game. Walters and Chiotti were the core of the team, and unless Tony Danridge really steps up they’re going to be in trouble. Kersten is a decent player and a returning starter, but is more of a role player than a game changer which is going to likely be what the Lobos will lack this year.
SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS:
Last Year’s Record: 24-9 (13-3 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: Qualified for NCAA Tournament, Loss in Opening Round
Returning Starters: 4 (Heath, Akubar, Spain, Williams)
Returning Players: 9
Last year’s Mountain West champions, the San Diego State Aztecs look to be poised for another producitive season. Last year’s leading scorer, Brandon Heath, and Mohamed Akubar enter their senior year with a last chance to make a splash. With 4 starters returning, they may be able to. The loss of leading rebounder, shot blocker, and second leading scorer Marcus Slaughter could be a painful one, however enough of the team is still in tact that they should be able to overcome the loss. The Aztecs should find themselves in Mountain West title contention, and if they fail to be at or around the top this season has to be looked upon as a disappointment.
Idaho is a team that is in a lot of trouble coming into this season. Their best player transferred and if matters couldn’t get any worse, their coach was fired. Idaho had a rough debut in the WAC last season by winning only one conference game. Sadly enough, it doesn’t seem like it is going to get any better anytime soon. The assistant coach, George Pfeifer, got promoted to the head coaching duties and will have his work cut out for him. His returning star, Keoni Watson, averaged 10 PPG last year and that is about all this team has going for it right now.
TEXAS CHRISTIAN HORNED FROGS:
Last Year’s Record: 6-25 (2-14 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: None
Returning Starters: 2 (Hackett, Owens)
Returning Players: 11
Last year’s cellar dwellers appear destined to likely suffer a similar fate. Nile Murray and Judson Stubbs, two of last year’s minimal bright spots, are not returning. Brent Hackett is the only returner who posted significant numbers. This year appears to be part of another rebuilding season for TCU. Looking ahead to 2007, Hackett and Owens will be entering their senior years and the younger players will have some more time to develop. It’s too early to say this year is a lost cause, but for TCU, it’s nice to know at least they’ll still have another season with their two returners to try and right the ship.
NEVADA LAS VEGAS REBELS:
Last Year’s Record: 17-13 (10-6 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: None
Returning Starters: 2 (Adams, Terry)
Returning Players: 12
Coming off a 4th place finish in the Mountain West, UNLV loses a few key players in Louis Amundson and Jason Petrimoulx, however, in this team’s case I would doubt the losses will be enough to put them under. They will still return two double digit scorers in Jo’Van Adams and Michael Umeh, in addition to all-around contributor, Curtis Terry. Also returning is Wendell White, who should see increased minutes and should prove that he deserves them. Last year’s crowded backcourt held a few UNLV players back, and White was one of them. With increased playing time, White could help ease the loss of Amundson. It’s unlikely that UNLV will find themselves atop the Mountain West this year, but one should still expect a competitive season.
UTAH UTES:
Last Year’s Record: 14-15 (6-10 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: None
Returning Starters: 3 (Bryant, Green, Grant)
Returning Players: 8
The Utes enter this year in a similar situation to that of UNLV. They’ll be losing Bryant Markson and Chris Jackson, but appear to have the players needed to fill those voids. Johnnie Bryant will take the reigns as the leading guard scorer, and with help from Shaun Green, defensive specialist Chris Grant, and now full time starting center, Luke Nevill the Utes should be able to handle their losses well. Nevill could be a player to keep an eye out for. In lesser minutes last year, he posted 11.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. With his new full time gig, we could see Nevill take his production to the next level this year and hopefully help keep the Utes in the pack of the Mountain West.
WYOMING COWBOYS:
Last Year’s Record: 14-18 (5-11 in MW)
Post Season Achievements: None
Returning Starters: 2 (Ewing, Jones)
Returning Players: 10
Wyoming enters the season having lost 3 of their 5 starters. This could be a major problem, because of how reliant they were on those top 5 last year. Only Kevin Lewis (who is also not returning), and the starters saw more than 15 minutes per game last year, so this season players who saw limited action are going to need to be ready to be thrown into the mix. Leading scorer Brandon Ewing will return, along with Brad Jones. Beyond them lies much uncertainty though. Senior Daaron Brown figures to see increased playing time as well as sophomore Ike Okoye. Both big men showed promise last year, but neither have enough of a track record to prove that they can fill the shoes of guys like Justin Williams and Derek Wabbington. Wyoming figures to take a little step back this year in a rebuilding type season, but can still be competitive with explosive players like Brandon Ewing.
Predicted Finish
1. San Diego State Aztecs
2. Air Force Falcons State
3. Brigham Young Cougars
4. Nevada Las Vegas Rebels State
5. Colorado State Rams State
6. Utah Utes
7. New Mexico Lobos Tech
8. Wyoming Cowboys State
9. Texas Christian Horned Frogs
Predicted All-MWC First Team
Jacob Burtschi- Air Force
Trent Plaisted- Brigham Young
Brandon Heath- San Diego State
Mohamed Akubar- San Diego State
Brandon Ewing- Wyoming